Amazon.com

"Just remember, she might be pint-sized, but she's quite a woman." The original surfer girl gets her own three-film DVD collection, dippy fun from a more innocent time. 1959's Gidget made real surfers nauseated, but it's a kicky movie with some great lounge-era lingo. Sandra Dee, perkiness personified, plays the curious teen who breaks the gender line in surfing. She's also got the attention of surf-happy Moondoggie (James Darren) and the big Kahuna (Cliff Robertson), the latter the prototype of the surf bum who roams the globe in search of the endless summer. The film actually kicked off the great boom in surfing popularity (the Beach Boys and the Beach Party movies followed), much to the chagrin of purists. It was based on a novel by Frederick Kohner, who was inspired by his daughter's experiences.

Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961) puts Deborah Walley in the title role. She's no Sandra Dee, but at least there are shots of Walley doing her own surfing stunts. The action's in Waikiki, and Gidge is pursued by a confused Moondoggie and a famous dancer. They are played by James Darren and Michael Callan, and having the two 1960s male ingenues in the same movie suggests a weird collision of matter and anti-matter. The spark goes flat in Gidget Goes to Rome (1963), with yet another new actress (Cindy Carol) paired with a loyal James Darren. It's closer to Three Coins in the Fountain than the sandy beaches of Malibu.

DVD caveat:none of the films is in widescreen. The sequels don't suffer much, but the original Gidget was shot in CinemaScope, and the pan-and-scan approach hurts the summery look of the picture--even if it's just Sandra Dee balancing in front of blue-screen waves. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (3)

BEWARE - Gidget DVDs are pan & scan
I was all set to pre-order this DVD set of the first three Gidget films when I learned that they are pan & scan, not widescreen. All three films were made in widescreen, and the original "Gidget" was filmed in Panavision--meaning that the pan & scan version will cut off 1/2 of the picture. (I'm not sure if the other two Gidget films were Panavision (2.35) or 1.85 widescreen.)

If you're thinking about buying this as a permanent part of your DVD library, you may want to wait until Columbia does a proper job on the DVD. Even if you don't have a widescreen televison now, you will before too much longer...

Fond Memories
I grew up with these movies and in fact have two out of three of them on VHS already. My daughters who are just entering their twenties enjoy them with me. James Darren was my teen idol, and Sandra Dee was so sweet it was a joy to watch. Now Gidget goes Hawaiian still gave me James Darren, but I also got to enjoy the dance and music of a variety of other stars, it takes me back to a softer time. I can't say I enjoyed Gidget goes to Rome as much, but the scenery was worth it.

YAY! They Are FINALLY Out On DVD!!!
I grew up with these movies. My mom had me watching them when I was very young. They are VERY dear to my heart. They are somewhat dated (style-wise), but still completely enjoyable. The issues involved still ring loud and true among teens nowadays. I am just out of my teens (I'm 20 years old) and even with all the "teen flicks" coming out these days, I would have to say that Gidget Goes Hawaiian is one of my favorite teen movies of all time. But here you don't just get that one, you get all three (although let it be known I've never seen the entire Gidget Goes to Rome--but I would pay 20 bucks just to get the first two!)! These movies are just ADORABLE! ... Read more

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A capable cast led by George Kennedy helps make this third-go round for the Magnificent Seven franchise a worthwhile adventure for Western fans. Kennedy is a more-than-capable replacement for Yul Brynner as Chris, who must round up a new Seven to help rescue a revolutionary leader (Fernando Rey) held captive by a sadistic military leader (Michael Ansara, adding another notch to his long list of villains). Comparisons to the original Magnificent Seven are inevitable, and while Guns doesn't match up in terms of scope or quality of writing, the solid cast--which includes James Whitmore, Joe Don Baker, and Bernie Casey as members of the new Seven--overcomes any limitations by delivering energetic performances; the Spanish locations and veteran TV director Paul Wendkos's nods to spaghetti Western conventions are also a plus. --Paul Gaita ... Read more

Reviews (7)

the third time is the charm
Wow! Guns is an excellent western and a worthy sequel to the first. I could go on and on about just what makes this such a great movie, but the other reviews have covered all that.
A FIVE STAR SHOOT 'EM UP.

Third entry for Magnificent Seven series
This third film in the Magnificent Seven series is a very worthy sequel to the previous two movies. The story involves a new group of seven who join together to free a Mexican revolutionary from a prison called the Cave of the Rats. The movie is entertaining throughout as the group is organized and then their efforts in the prison break. Many scenes show the influence of spaghetti westerns whether it be close-ups or camera angles during shoot-outs. Either way, this is still a very good movie.

George Kennedy replaces Yul Brynner as Chris, the leader of the Magnificent Seven. Joining him are James Whitmore in a very good supporting role, Monte Markham as Keno(who seems to be a replacement for Steve McQueen's Vin), Reni Santoni, and Joe Don Baker as the one-armed gunman. This movie tends to focus on the beliefs of the Seven as they prepare for battle and the friendships between them. Also joining the cast is Frank Silvera, Fernando Rey, and Michael Ansara as the sinister Colonel Diego. Kennedy is excellent as the new Chris with the other six also being worthwhile replacements. Another star of the movie has to be Elmer Bernstein's rousing score that almost everyone around the world has heard. This is an entertaining sequel that isn't as good as the first one, but probably more on the level of the second sequel. VHS is of decent quality, but this one deserves to be on DVD.

They're BACK.........and with a vengeance!
To some this was an inferior sequel to the original MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, but it is actually a splendid follow-up with a sensational cast, thus making the characters more believable, and in a way, giving them more of a personality.

The noted "seven" are as follows, and as stated from the advertising compaign from the original theatrical trailer, "They Are Not Aiming to Please!". George Kennedy replaces Yul Brynner as Chris Adams, making him a more pleasant character who is one to assist his comrades in need. One would almost expect a hard-headed character in the Lone Ranger tradition who is merely out for a bounty. Monte Markham is Keno, Chris' main partner of the piece and fleeing from the Law had it not been more Chris' help. James Whitmore is Levi Morgan, the knife-wielding family man. Bernie Casey is Cassie, dynamite expert and one unable to make decent profits through it. Joe Don Baker is Slater, almost literally refrained to the use of one arm and a Colt 45 weapon his trademark. Scott Thomas is P.J., rope and rifle his weapons of choice. Reni Santoni is Max, the young Mexican who heists[some] of Frank Silvera's dollars to help Chris in the manner.

Enter Michael Ansara as Colonel Diego. A truly sensational actor who made a niche for himself portraying Indians or evil mercenaries. Thus he makes Colonel Diego a nasty character who takes great enjoyment out of watching his slaves suffer torture. Whether it's being whipped until they beg to die, stuck with their heads in the sand while horses trample over them, or leaving them out to dry in the sunlight, he is thoroughly relishing it. He is the leader of the band of marauders, and all throughout makes the character intimidating, and at the same time, believable in the sense that he plays him with such conviction.

Film works more of an individual piece than a sequel is what makes it so unique and different. Thus the characters develop more of a trust and friendship, and they provide an excellent team when having a showdown with the villains of the piece. Elmer Bernstein's music score is excellent, and makes the action throughout even more exciting, and Paul Wendkos' direction is top notch. Great performances from all supporting characters as the cast is great.

I hope it's not long before the DVD is released as this has been out of print, and hard to obtain a copy of through video stores. If you're a Western fan, this is for you!

The Magnificent Seven Are Back and They Do Not Aim to Please
That's what the theatrical original poster proclaimed. And so they are! GUNS OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN is much closer to the original THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN than RETURN OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN even though George Kennedy takes over the role of Chris from Yul Brynner. This movie was filmed in Spain just as RETURN OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN was. However, this film retains a whole new look. The original THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN was filmed in Mexico and was necessarily done so because the land and the people were an integral part of the story. GUNS OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN is concerned more about the characters that make up the seven. Instead of helping a group of people, the seven are hired to free a lone Mexican Revolutionary leader. Freeing one man instead of many allowed the script to rely solely on the lives of the seven and not tread on territory already covered in the previous two films.

George Kennedy as Chris is generally a good-natured individual willing to help the underdog. Monte Markham as Keno lives on the fringes of the law but is also generally good-natured and acts as Kennedy's partner. James Whitmore is very good as Levi Morgan, the knife-throwing married gunman who sees one more chance for adventure. Bernie Casey as Cassie is the Black gunman who is an expert with dynamite but can't make a decent wage in the post Civil War West. Joe Don Baker plays Slater a very proficient marksman with a Colt 45, who wears his Confederate coat as a shroud to cover his now "dead" arm. Scott Thomas plays P.J. the dying ex-wrangler good with rope and rifle. Rounding out the seven is Reni Santoni as Max, the young Mexican who is sent reluctantly with six hundred of Frank Silvera's dollars (American) to find Chris and get his help.

This is a great action adventure film in the tradition of the ideals that made THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN so popular. Elmer Bernstein's rousing score for this film is excellent and has never been given any real recognition. There is just so much music in it and it is very good. When this film was originally released it was rated "G" suitable for all audiences. I think that turned away many people from the box office. More people got killed in this film than the first two combined, yet it received a "G" rating. I think this is because these "seven" are such good-natured fellows and they vanquish the most evil of villains in the form of Michael Ansara as Colonel Diego in this film. Colonel Diego does not have one redeeming quality about him, nor is he possibly misguided as were Calvera or Lorca from the previous films. "G" rating or not, evil in any form does not stand a chance against the GUNS OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN.

The Cowards Die Many Deaths but the Brave Only One
GUNS OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN can be adequately described as the third entry out of a group of four films that may or may not be described as a "series" of westerns based on the concept of gallantry and redemption for the mythological and eternal "seven" gunmen. Its direct predecessor RETURN OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN was certainly a true sequel to THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN. I found RETURN OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN to be a great supplement to the original. Dark and labyrinth-like it examined and analyzed the central character Chris, brilliantly portrayed by Yul Brynner, and his ability to ferret out the motivations of all the other important characters and bring each to terms with themselves.

In GUNS OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN we start over fresh with Chris now portrayed by George Kennedy. Physically and in a histrionic sense he bears little resemblance to the character of the first two films. As Yul Brynner commented on his character: there are only two things clean about him - his gun and his soul. And these are the two qualities that Kennedy brings to the role.

Thematically GUNS OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN is much closer to the original. However, its plot manages to be innovative and it contains some refreshing dialogue. Not only does it take the notion of "seven" gunmen seeking redemption for past transgressions but it even touches on Sam Peckinpah's familiar theme of the demise of a noble way of life in the face of a modern world. Our seven heroes in this film are indeed noble. Instead of protecting Mexican farmers against hordes of marauding bandits, they are now recruited to free a revolutionary leader, Quintero (Fernando Rey) from the prison fortress "cave of the rats" commanded by the evil Colonel Diego (Michael Ansara). The oppressed Mexican people need their leader.

A real highlight of this film is the recruitment of the seven. After Max (Reni Santoni) witnesses Chris save Keno (Monte Markham) from the gallows in a very entertaining scene he requests his help. Chris agrees and Keno signs on first. Max also signs on "not for the money, but because seven is your lucky number" so he tells Chris. Next Chris recruits Cassie (Bernie Casey), the dynamite expert for "one hundred dollars and not many laughs." Chris and Keno next visit Levi Morgan (James Whitmore) who is now married and retired from the profession. Whitmore demonstrates just how fine an actor he is in this film playing his part with restrained wit and charm. He's brilliant. Onto a traveling sideshow Chris and Keno next meet Slater (Joe Don Baker) the one-armed gunman who wears a ragged Confederate tunic. "I can't whip a six year old girl in a fair fight but I can blow a man's eyeballs out at a 100 yards, in a sandstorm!" Chris finally signs on P.J. (Scott Thomas) apparently as a favor to the sick and coughing gunman who is also an expert with rope.

As all seven sit around a table playing cards Chris holds up the seven of spades and the scene cuts to the seven riding majestically across the landscape on their way to help the downtrodden to the familiar strains of Elmer Bernstein's theme. This one scene really defines what The Magnificent Seven are all about. Elmer Bernstein not only reworked quite a bit of his earlier music but he composed a good deal of original music for this film. However, 'The Magnificent Seven' theme remains central to the film and goes through many brilliant interpretations. This was another highlight of this film. The producers spared no money when it came to the music and it makes a significant difference.

There is a great relationship in this film between the ex-slave (Casey) and the ex-Confederate (Joe Don Baker). They start out hating each other but in the end respect each other for what life has handed them. Another interesting character is the young boy Emiliano Zapata (Tony Davis) who is temporarily orphaned while his father is held prisoner in the "cave of the rats." In the mean time James Whitmore adopts him. The boy asks many simple yet philosophical questions on the meaning of life which gives the film real substance. Also there is the adversarial relationship between Chris and Colonel Diego which grows darker as the film progresses. This is good against evil and there are no pretensions here.

This film visually looks quite different from its two predecessors. Though filmed in Spain we never see any signs of the desert as we did in RETURN OF THE SEVEN. Instead it is mostly filmed against vibrant green hills and meadows, uprooted gray rock formations and blue skies with billowing white clouds by cinematographer Antonio Macasoli. Director Paul Wendkos wanted to show us that the era of the gunman was coming to an end. The horses, not the guns fit the landscape. The claustrophobic images of gunmen gambling and drinking in smoke filled saloons and lurking in dark streets are gone. As the seven come closer to their date with destiny the landscape mirrors their final resting-place in the great beyond.

I always liked this film. It has a certain "Saturday matinee" quality about it that makes it very entertaining and uplifting. However, that very quality has seemed to diminish its very importance to some. All I know is that when Max (Reni Santoni) delivers the final line of this film I got a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. Like one of the Mexican farmers in the THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN told Steve McQueen, "That's a feeling worth dying for." ... Read more

Description

The tragic story of Dr. Samuel Mudd of Maryland, who in 1865 was arrested for his alleged complicity in the conspiracy to assassinate Abraham Lincoln and sentenced by an illegal military court to a lifetime of hard labor at the American penal colony of Fort Jefferson on the Dry Tortugas.The unfortunate Mudd, whose only "crime" was to set the broken leg of a mud-caked stranger – who turned out to be John Wilkes Booth – endures the cruelties of the sadistic commandant and the condemnation of the public at large, until his selfless courage during a yellow fever epidemic earns him a pardon by President Andrew Johnson.The film implicates Lincoln’s secretary of war Edwin Stanton, whom some conspiracy theorists now believe was behind the assassination plot. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

3 Excellent Episodes!
This edition features 2 of the best Mexico episodes, and a superlative Japan episode. "Bet Me A Dollar" starts as a lightheared bet between a bored Kelly and Scott, which becomes a race against time as Scotty must find his friend who has been dosed with anthtrax and has only hours to live. The little boy who guest stars in this one is especially good, and delivers a very strong performance. "Carmelita" is another great one from the Mexico arc as the boys become unwitting babysitters for infant Carmelita as "the opposition" chase after them. (Watch for a cool moment in the teaser as Cosby says a line too early and Culp has to cut him off.) "Tatia" is a very dramatic episode which sees Kelly fall for a beautiful photographer whom Scotty suspects is an opposition agent. A great moment occurs when Scott tells Kelly there's no way he's going out let him out to meet her, and calls down to the lobby to let them know they may hear some loud noises like a fight, but not to worry, it's only a sound effects record. The only drawback to this edition is the video quality of "Tatia" which is a little off, probably due to the source material. But the content more than makes up for it. As usual the other episodes are strikingly clear and beautiful. Remarkable for a series over 35 years old! This is a must have for the I Spy fan, featuring 3 of the best of the series. ... Read more

Description

In the early months of 1965, actor and screenwriter Robert Culp undertook a task that would change his life forever. Secretly working without the knowledge of the show's producers, he wrote several scripts for "I Spy." Ultimately these scripts would become some of the series' most popular and acclaimed shows. Now, for the first time, Robert Culp candidly reveals the intriguing story behind the scenes of "I Spy" in unique and exciting commentaries about this groundbreaking television series. Episodes: "The War Lord" - Assigned to rescue an attractive but impulsive young English girl being held hostage in the back country of Southeast Asia, Robinson and Scott are stymied when she refuse to leave. Co-Starring Jean Marsh. "Court of the Lion" - An Oxford-educated Zulu seeks revenge on white men by selling industrial diamonds to the Red Chinese. Co-Starring Godfrey Cambridge. "Magic Mirror" - Kelly Robinson learns that the woman he loves is linked to an exiled dictator he and Scott are assigned to investigate. Co-Starring France Nuyen and Ricardo Montalban. "Home to Judgement" - Robinson and Scott bungle an assignment and become the hunted rather than the hunters in a deadly cat-and-mouse game across a rugged midwest prairie. Co-Starring Will Geer and Robert Donner.Audio Commentary by actor/writer Robert Culp ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Culp Collection, A Must Have!
The Commentary on this second of the Culp Collection discs is amazing! Even better than the the first one. Robert Culp gets more into the personal relationships on the show, and the material on Sheldon Leonard, France Nuyen and others is nothing less than fascinating. The behind the scenes material is a real treasure, and the technical information on writing for series television is like a university course. If you're an I Spy fan do yourself a favor and get them both. As usual with this Image Entertainment DVD series the show looks breathtakingly beautiful. They did a superb job on these discs. And Mr.Culp, if you're reading this, thank you for all the great work, and there has to be a behind the scenes book in this milestone series! We're dying to read it!

The War Lord
Robert Culp is an amazing man with more talent than I can ever put into words in this review. There are two DVD's that are the "Robert Culp Collection" and I think they contain the best of all the I Spy shows. The War Lord and Home to Judgement have always been two of my favorite episodes and in seeing them again, I remember why I have always felt this way.

Written and performed beautifully, the candy cane inside the pickle on these two DVD's is commentary by Robert Culp.

If you buy no other I Spy DVD's, buy these two.

Great writing for television
Today the raves are for Aaron Sorkin and The West Wing, two decades ago it was Bochco and Hill Street Blues, but some of the writing done on I Spy (most by series star Robert Culp) was every bit as lively, crisp and topical as TV is today.
The episodes on this disk, specifically Magic Mirror and Home To Judgement, are some of the best television scripts ever produced.
This is part of a double-DVD set, with all episodes written by series star Robert Culp. I've read where Culp locked himself away in a secluded house with no phone to write these episodes, and the dedication shows.
Magic Mirror is more than just a cold war thriller, it's plot is a Shakesperean tragedy for the jet set set against the backdrop of a small country being tugged over like a rope caught in superpower's jaws.
Home To Judgement illustrates that television heroes aren't always shaved and well dressed, and that sometimes things do go wrong. The end sequence has Robinson and Scott shooting it out inside a cramped farm house with hoods whose faces you never quite see ... it is quite sureal.
Great series. A big screen movie with Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson is in the works, but I don't think it'll live up to the small screen rendition. ... Read more

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What happens when "a poor, raggedy-old private from the Confederates" and "a big important general from the North" spend the night at McCain's ranch, stop being polite, and start to get real? You get "The Sheridan Story," one of five vintage, black and white 1958-'59 episodes from this classic Western series' first and second seasons. Chuck Connors stars in his signature role as Lucas McCain, who settles down on a North Fork, New Mexico, ranch with his son Mark (Johnny Crawford). In these episodes, outlaws and hired guns keep McCain and his trusty Winchester busy, while Mark learns about manhood ("It's staying alive and in your right senses," McCain explains). A highlight of this collection is Vic Morrow doing his Brando bit as Johnny Cotton, who buys himself a lot of trouble when he robs McCain and steals his rifle in "The Angry Gun." Sam Peckinpah directed "The Money Gun," in which ornery cuss and McCain nemesis Oat Jackford stands up to a gunman hired to kill him. "The Mind Reader" boasts appearances by John Carradine, as a traveling showman, and Michael Landon, as a young man falsely accused of murder. But the best is saved for last. "Bloodlines," directed by Arthur Hiller, stars Buddy Hackett--yes, Buddy Hackett-- in a guest appearance as the brutal patriarch who comes gunning for McCain when one of his three psychopathic sons is killed in a bar shootout. For Rifleman fans, these episodes are of the highest caliber. --Donald Liebenson ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A little short on action...
The Rifleman Volume 2 contains five more episodes of the popular series, but the overall quality of the episodes is not as good as the Volume 1 collection. If not for the presence of a couple of really nasty villains, and some hilarious outtakes, you could probably pass on this disc. Here's a rundown of the episodes with my ratings from one to five.

The Angry Gun (5): Vic Morrow stars as an escaped outlaw, who has stolen both Lucas McCain's money, and his precious Winchester. Morrow is marvelous, exuding pure evil, and showing little feeling for either friend or foe. He is about to finish off the Rifleman with his own gun, when Lucas's just in the nick of time ingenuity saves the day.

The Sheridan Story (2): This one is aimed at the heart. A disabled Confederate veteran turns up at the McCain ranch. Later, General Sheridan, the man who wounded him also arrives at the McCain's. Both men confront their past deeds, reflect on the tragedy of war, and then even begin to try to heal old wounds. This one's short on action and long on words.

The Money Gun (2): Jackford is a man with a lot of enemies. One of them brings hired gun, Tom King (John Dehner) into town to kill Jackford. King and McCain are old acquaintances who don't like each other. Lucas and Micah must do what is necessary to keep the peace. Too much posturing, and not much tension in this one. The ending is weak. Not one of Peckinpah's better efforts.

The Mind Reader (2): A man is shot in the back on the streets of South Fork, and a young Michael Landon is held for the crime. Lucas tries to find out who really did the deed. John Carradine is a travelling mind reader who seems to know something about who committed the crime. Though the identity of the real killer is a surprise, the episode really doesn't deliver much of a punch.

Bloodlines (4): Three brothers take things a little too far in the town saloon, and one brother ends up dead when Lucas and Micah intervene. Funnyman Buddy Hackett guest stars as Daniel Malakie, the father of the boys. And Pa is in a mean and nasty mood. First it's a jailbreak and then cold-blooded murder, as the Malakie's go on a rampage of revenge. This one has plenty of action, with the scruffy Hackett even getting a much-needed bath.

Volume 2 has bonus features, the most notable is a four minute long clip of outtakes that gives you a real taste of what the set was probably like. Very funny, with music track, and lots and lots of profanity. The Rifleman set was probably one big "boys club", with too many guys cooped up together, for too long. So we get Chuck Connors joking about kissing other men, and swearing up a storm. Great fun, but definitely not for the kids.

I've said before, this is mainly for the guys. Once again, almost no women are featured in these episodes. Only one actress even has any lines! Get this one only if you're a hardcore fan, otherwise wait for Volumes 3 and 4.

We hope for further volumes in this outstanding series!
MPI Home Video breaks new and welcome ground with the launching of a series of classic television programs in a DVD format for the home entertainment market. The Rifleman was one of the most popular of the westerns that dominated a early decade of American television and starred Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain and Johnny Crawford as his son, Mark McCain. In Volume 2 (0-7886-0323-X, [amt.], 145 minutes) we are treated to "The Angry Gun"; "The Sheridan Story"; "The Money Gun"; The Mind Reader"; and "Bloodlines". The DVD format allows viewer bonuses which include cast biographies, a Rifleman photo gallery; episode outakes, and English subtitles option for the hearing impaired. We can only hope for further volumes in this outstanding western series drawn from television's yesteryears! ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Affair in T'sien Cha" - A train bound for Hong Kong disappears, and Robinson and Scott are assigned to solve the mystery. Co-Starring Vera Miles. "Carry Me Back to Old Tsing Tao" - American merchant Charley Haun in Hong Kong asks agents Robinson and Scott to deliver a million dollars in back taxes to the U.S. so he can die honorably in his native village."Danny Was a Million Laughs" - Robinson and Scott do their best to keep their moving target, Danny, from getting killed, but they cannot move fast enough to save Danny's henchmen Sam and Genius. Co-Starring Martin Landau. "A Cup of Kindness" - In Hong Kong, secret agents Robinson and Scott are ordered to kill one of their own colleagues, Russ Conley, who has turned traitor. Co-Starring David Friedkin. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good to see spy series on DVD
I've been an I Spy fan for nearly 30 years, since seeing it in repeats in the early 70s, and the show is hard to find on broadcast television -- cable or otherwise. In short, this is a great DVD for fans of the series, spy genre or action shows. The DVD rocks. It's clear and the color is vibrant. That's not always the case on some DVDs or VHS releases on TV shows. Also, there's no translucent company logo that pops up on the screen. A big plus, because some companies do that too. The release order seems to be following most of the shows from the first season of I Spy. Hopefully, the company will release all the episodes. If there's any drawback it's the lack of "extras" that many DVDs come with, but that's not a true need for something like this, just a nice to have. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "This Guy Smith" - Robinson and Scott pose as vacationing fishermen at a mountain resort while attempting to ferret out an enemy agent on murder charges. Co-Starring Diana Muldaur. "Turnabout for Traitors" - Kelly Robinson is accused of being a traitor to the United States and is hunted down by his own colleagues, including partner Alexander Scott. Co-Starring Peter Donat and Ross Elliot. "Happy Birthday Everybody" - Robinson and Scott try to thwart a vengeful escaped prisoner's plot to destroy the now-retired agent who arrested him. Co-Starring Jim Backus and Gene Hackman. "Shana" - Theft of a top-secret sample of rocket fuel brings Robinson and Scott to Acapulco on the trail of a beautiful but elusive suspect. Co-Starring Albert Dekker and Gloria Foster. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Masterful Production & Acting
Robert Culp has been my favourite actor since he starred in the Western Series: TRACKDOWN. The chemistry between Culp & Cosby was blessed magic and the series went on to win dozens of top awards including 2 EMMYS and THE GOLDEN GLOBE. It was the FIRST action series on TV to be shot on actual locations from Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, Italy, Spain, Greece, Africa, the U.S. and Las Vegas. Robert Culp gained my admiration not only as a most credible actor, but his talents went far beyond the realm of acting. Mr. Culp has play numerous roles, and Mr. Peter Falk has always spoken honourably of him for the roles he played in Columbo. He even wrote some of the stories for the series of I SPY, even donning dual roles. I SPY was a true, down-to-earth portrayal of the spy business. The ad lib technique of Culp and Cosby engendered a level of talent that has NEVER been equalled. Hats off to the best! Mr. Culp and Mr. Cosby, I hope you see this!!! --wes shrader ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I Spy - So Long Patrick Henry and The Warlord
Since other reviewers have commented on the high quality of the dramas on these two discs, I want to talk about the audio commentary by actor/writer Robert Culp, which is, if you are interested in how series TV was created in the Sixties, reason enough to buy these DVDs. Mr. Culp talks engagingly and personally about the genesis of the series; his troubled professional relationship with producer Sheldon Leonard; his unsuccessful attempts to get Sam Peckinpah hired onto the show as a director; the unadulterated joy of working with Bill Cosby for three years; where his script ideas came from and how they were developed; working with creative collaborators like directors Richard Serafian and Tom Gries; how John Chambers worked, unpaid, for six months to create Culp's make-up for "The Warlord"; how Earl Hagen's scores enriched certain shows -- in short, everything you've ever wanted to know about I SPY. These excellant commentaries -- thorough, entertaining, and well-researched -- add up to the book about I SPY that no one has yet written. Much thanks to Mr. Culp and Image Entertainment for these invaluable discs.

The Best Episodes Ever!
Robert Culp saved "I Spy" from being just another spy show during the James Bond craze of the early and mid-sixties. He saved it by writing intelligent scripts that were long on characterization and tight, swiftly-moving plots, a stark difference from the wincingly trite bill of fare offered up to us on shows like "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." and others. Culp's scripts showed us that Robinson and Scott were a couple of CIA working-stiff operatives with plenty of heart, rather than comic book superheroes in tight pants. Kel and Scotty sweated and suffered through their jobs, and the episodes on this first volume of the Robert Culp collection were amongst their finest hours. Honestly, this is arguably the among the finest television that came out of the sixties, certainly in the spy genre, if not in television as a whole. We owe a great deal to Robert Culp for raising the bar in television drama to establish a standard of excellence that is still recognized today. All three episodes are cases-in-point, but if I had to pick one out of the lot, I would say that "The Loser" is the finest. This episode covers an incredible amount of ground in 51 minutes and never-not once-meanders into the absurd. An excellent plot and moving, relevant dialog make for one hell of a fine viewing experience, and even the most discriminating audience will be pleased. Incidentally, the commentary tracks (there are three) are informative and entertaining, too. Thanks, Bob, for all of your hard work on "I Spy" and all of the other shows on which your talent and heart showed through. ... Read more

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In the 1960s audiences were crazy for secret agents, and two of the coolest guys to go undercover were found on television's I Spy. Robert Culp and Bill Cosby played a pair of American agents whose cover story was that they were a pair of happy-go-lucky globetrotting athletes following the "tennis circuit." The show was considered something of a milestone in the 1960s for having an African American in a lead role, but when viewed decades later what's remarkable about the show is simply how much fun it was. In the four episodes in this package Culp and Cosby run around Hong Kong and Tokyo, looking totally cool in blazers, sneakers, and sunglasses, and their battles with agents working for "the other guys" always seem to involve beautiful women. The assignments given the unlikely agents, such as finding a foreign agent who is to be traded for an American spy plane pilot, or stopping "Red China's top scientists" from waging germ warfare, are utterly implausible. But who cares? What counts is that the agents engage in flashy martial arts slugfests with enemy agents, have gun battles in back alleys, and must always ponder the motivations of the aforementioned beautiful women. These programs epitomize escapist entertainment. --Robert J. McNamara ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Tag You're It
This DVD contains my all-time favorite "I Spy" episode, "An American Empress," featuring France Nuyen, who was Robert Culp's wife at the time. I looked it up and it was originally broadcast on Christmas Day in 1967. I happened to catch the rerun in August just before the show was cancelled by NBC.

This episode was shot on location in San Francisco and includes Culp and Bill Cosby at their best in terms of the rapport between the two. There's also a catchy jazz theme throughout.

4 Unforgettable episodes- Spy School!
The first three episodes on this wonderful DVD are set in San Francisco. In "An American Empress", Robinson & Scott take a beautiful Chinese heiress (Frances Nuyen) on a tour of the city, only to discover that she plays an unwitting part in a plot to gain control of the government of China. The 2nd episode is one of the best of the entire series: "Anyplace I Hang Myself Is Home"; After Alexander Scott mysteriously tries to take his own life, a series of flashbacks show Scott & Robinson's early days in spy school, including their very first encounter with one another, in which both consider the other "helplessly square"!! In "Tag, you're It", our heroes return to spy school for a training exercise that goes badly wrong (look for our boys hiding out in the Haight-Ashbury district dressed as Hippies!); and in "A Few Miles West Of Nowhere", the pair investigate the killing of a fellow agent in a small town in which local vigilantes make them less than welcome. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Chrysanthemum" - Assigned to recover stolen documents, agents Robinson and Scott are ordered to assist Maximilian D'Brouget, an eager but hopelessly confused counterspy. Co-Starring Marcel Hillaire. "Dragon's Teeth" - Robinson and Scott are being introduced to George Serengi, fiance of hostess Alicia Cavanaugh, when Serengi drops to the floor, apparently poisoned. Co-Starring Mike Faulkner and Joanne Linville. "No Exchange on Damaged Merchandise"--In Hong Kong, agents Robinson and Scott seek double agent Erik Thorsten, the only person the Communists will trade for a captured American pilot. Co-Starring Kurt Kreuger and Sue Randall. "A Time of the Knife"--Missing microfilm is involved in the untimely death of agent Michael Fane in Kyoto, Japan, and places his bereaved fiancee, Jean Dillard, in great danger. Co-Starring Madlyn Rhue and Warren Stevens. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I Spy, I Like!
One of my favorite old TV series is "Man from UNCLE". With actors Robert Vaughn and David McCallum, how couldn't I like it? So when I found this DVD I though I'd try it out. And I though "I Spy" was fantastic! Robert Culp and Bill Cosby are good! There are four episodes in one DVD:

"Chrysanthemum": Agents Telly Robinson (Robert Culp) and Alexander Scott (Bill Cosby) are forced to work with Maximilian D'Brouget (Marcel Hillaire), a very eager yet not very bright counterspy.* Most boring episode of all four episodes. Very slow, I wince every time I see D'Brouget mess up, which he does quite often.

"Dragon's Teeth": While in Hong Kong, Robinson's old friend, Alicia Cavanaugh (Joanne Linville) introduces him and Scott to her fiance, George Serengi (Mike Faulkner). But while at a party, Serengi dies mysteriously.* Makes up for "Chrysanthemum". The ending was so surprising I at first couldn't believe it!

"No Exchange Damaged Merchandise": Again in Hong Kong, Robinson and Scott look all over for Eric Thorsten (Kurt Kreuger) to exchange him for a captured American pilot from the Communists.* Another good episode. Culp and Cosby's banter is very funny!

"A Time of the Knife": When Robinson's friend, Michael Fane (Warren Stevens) is killed in an accident, he and Scott are sent on a mission to find some missing microfilm with the help Fane's fiancee, Jean Dillard (Madlyn Rhue).* Culp and Cosby are really good at judo! They actually do a lot of it. But the most interesting thing about the episode is that it takes place in Japan. I live in Japan and has been to most of the places, though it's much more modern now than it was before.

Though "Man from UNCLE" is my forever favorite, I would still like to get more of the "I Spy" DVDs. People who like old movies and TV series will like "I Spy"!

Early Episodes - Work in Progress
The early episodes, in Hong Kong especially, have a certain poignancy, but they're too trite and corny and sometimes stilted to really love.

Chrysanthemum introduces "Scottie's Theme" and other tunes that were a staple of the show. Besides on-site camera work - for the most part (you can see the LA coastline in some of the scenes) the show was a vehicle for Earle Hagen's music. This episode was a Pink Panther rip-off but its saving grace was the "goodness" of the two heros and they're love of other people, their loyalty to Max, regardless of how ridiculous he is.

Dragon's Teeth is an attempt at an Agatha Christie story. You get a look at a young James Hong, playing an old man, what else? For the most part it's slow and Alicia Cavanaugh's make-up is hideous.

No Exchange ... about half-good. Has themes that are echoed in future episodes, and the heroes start to look hip.

Time of the Knife - now we're getting there. The scenery is great but the story has a tendency to limp, and the music is not well integrated. Nevertheless, worth four stars - the dialog works in nearly every scene. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "There Was a Little Girl" - Assigned to guard the teenage daughter of a U.S. Cabinet Member, Kelly Robinson and Alexander Scott discover that "baby-sitting" can be a very hazardous operation. Co-Starring Mary-Jane Saunders. "Sparrowhawk" - The youthful ruler of a foreign country visits Las Vegas on a vacation but it is no holiday for agents Robinson and Scott when they are entrusted with the safety of the boy, who becomes an assassin's target. Co-Starring Clive Clerk "Its All Done With Mirrors" - Brainwashed by a hostile power until he believes his friend Alexander Scott is a traitor to the U.S., Kelly Robinson sets out to murder his fellow agent. Co-Starring Fay Spain and Carroll O'Connor. "Lori" - Nancy Wilson is a guest star as a Las Vegas singer embroiled in the violence of international intrigue when her would-be agent brother is marked for death. Co-Starring Malachi Throne and Greg Morris. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Bridge of Spies" - On assignment in Italy, agents Robinson and Scott meet a beautiful Italian guide who takes them on a tour of baffling murders. Co-Starring Barbara Steele. "A Gift from Alexander" - Agents Robinson and Scott do some moonlighting between assignments to help locate a priceless manuscript in Venice, Italy. Co-Starring Anna Karina and Michael Constantine. "To Florence with Love, Part I" - Katie, an innocent New England girl, attempts to return a priceless painting to a gallery in Italy. She is thwarted by a band of bumbling but dedicated Italian thieves. Co-Starring Joey Heatherton. "To Florence with Love, Part II" - Stunned to learn that the Madonna portrait they have delivered is a fake, Robinson, Scott and Katie concoct a desperate scheme to correct their goof before the news gets out in the conclusion part of "To Florence with Love." ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A good collections of episodes
I was introduce to this series by the move I Spy Retrun.

The only episode I didn't like the first time is the "A Gift from Alexander", all other three episodes is very well done.

That is why I give it 4/5.

A great series ill served
From one of the greatest TV-series ever made, these episodes are wonderful. But...these are, without a doubt, the worst DVD transfers you will ever see. No attention was paid to the quality of the transfer - they continually go in and out of focus. I have both #13 and this one and they are both dreadful quality. I'd love to buy all of them but I won't buy another. I have a state of the art gaming computer and every DVD I own plays perfectly except for these I-Spy DVDs. Image Entertainment and Peter Rodgers Organization should be ashamed to be foisting these off on the public. Disgraceful.

Good for fans of the series
If you like I Spy then get this DVD. It has the only two part episode (To Florence With Love) and a good spy episode with Bridge of Spies. The best of the lot, on this DVD, is A Gift From Alexander. It's an engaging, humorous tale with good plot and twists. In the end, Robinson and Scott get decorated by the USSR. A hoot, considering this was filmed/aired during the mid-60s. The color and quality of the episodes are good. But there are no extras that many DVDs now-a-days have. It has chapter selections that are basically the same places where the comercials would have went. Still, if you are an I Spy fan, or spy show fan, this is a good one. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Blackout" - When Kelly Robinson is implicated in the murder of a beautiful Russian ballerina and suspected agent, he and his partner Alexander Scott are given eight hours to disprove the charges. Co-Starring Zohra Lampert and Alan Oppenheimer. "Room with a Rack" - Obviously troubled over his slow physical and emotional recovery from a severe beating that imperils his career and a normal life, Kelly Robinson takes desperate measures to prove his worth. "Get Thee to a Nunnery" - American and British intelligence agents attempt to outfox each other while seeking a reputed fortune in World War II contraband. Co-Starring Peter Lawford. "Mainly on the Plains" - A fun-loving old man whose formula for a missile device places him in constant jeopardy refuses to take the threats seriously. Co-Starring Boris Karloff. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Three Out Of Four Ain't Bad
Out of the four episodes presented on this disc, two are outstanding, and one is pretty darned good, especially if you're a Boris Karloff fan (you know who you are). Despite the fact that the episode entitled "Get Thee To A Nunnery" would have been better left on the cutting room floor, the disc is worth having, especially at the nice price. "Blackout" is superb, and is a showcase for Robert Culp's excellent acting skills. No other actor during the '60's spy craze gave such credibility to his character than Bob Culp, and his work here proves why audiences then (and now) preferred to spend their Thursday nights with the NBC Peacock. "Room With A Rack," is also a fine episode, although the writer(s) do, at times, ask the audience to suspend their groundings in reality just a tad too far and too long(just why would a highly trained undercover CIA agent allow himself to be persuaded--in public--to fight a bull in a ring? Criminey!). Ah, but such is the nature of television, and it sure the hell beat out anything else out there in the genre at that time. Which brings us to "Mainly On The Plains," a light-hearted look at an eccentric rocket scientist (Boris Karloff), whose belief that he is Cervantes's Don Quixote is due to the burdens of carring around a secret anti-missile missle formula. That Culp and Cosby had a great time filming the story is patently obvious, and their repartee transcends the flaws in the script (a guard strums a guitar to the chords of a Rodrigo guitar sonata, rather than holding Scott, Robinson and Don Silvando at bay with a machine gun, which is propped up against a wall. Double-criminey!!). I suspect that working with Mr. Karloff was a treat for the two principles, as their light-heartedness pervades through the entire episode and is downright infectious. Of particular note is Earle Hagen's delightful score, which rounds out the episode quite nicely. Three out of four episodes ain't too bad, and I Spy-lovers should be pleased. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "The Medarra Block" - Robinson and Scott race against time in their effort to thwart a plot to overthrow the Moroccan government. Co-Starring Norman Fell. "Let's Kill Karlovassi" - Arriving at a resort community on the Greek coast, Robinson and ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Episodes
In addition to the Medarra Block (Morocco,)in which Kelly and Scott try to stop a plot to overthrow the Moroccan government,

this DVD has:

Let's Kill Karlovassi (Greece)Kelly and Scott are on an assassination assignment.

Laya (Greece)Scotty falls in love with a foreign embassy clerk who gets caught between sides

The Beautiful Children (Greece) Kelly ans Scott are assigned to bring an foreign agent, who doesn't want to be rescued) across the Greek border.

I think the episodes in Greece are especially good. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "The Lotus Eater" - The mysterious disappearance of Kelly Robinson somewhere in the Greek Islands sends Alexander Scott on a week-long search for his partner, who announces he has quit the service when he is finally found. Co-Starring Sheldon Leonard. "The Seventh Captain" - Baffled by the ease with which enemy anti-submarine experts have eluded detection in the waters off the Greek coast, the state department assigns Robinson and Scott, who not only lose their man but nearly their lives. Co-Starring Harold J. Stone and Nick Dennis. "Apollo" - Scott and Robinson thwart an attempt to sabatoge the United States moon shot project. Co-Starring Nancy Kovacs and Stewart Bradley. "Oedipus at Colonus" - Robinson and Scott must seek out Jahhad, the only man capable of averting a religious holy war from igniting in Morocco. Co-Starring Maurice Evans and Marne Maitland. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Mission: Find Volume 14
After James Bond and "The Avengers," "I Spy" just beats out "Mission: Impossible" as my all-time favorite espionage series. The stories are believable, with good action and light, non-campy humor, but the driving force of the show is its strong main characters. Robert Culp is an utterly charming leading man; Bill Cosby, playing it straight and only subtly humorous, comes off extremely cool and charismatic. Prior to watching "I Spy," I thought William H. Cosby, PhD., was nothing more than a boring, cutesy, "family-entertainment" comedian. Now I think the Cos kicks major booty and I'm one of his biggest fans. The wonderful friendship and chemistry he shared with Culp, on and off-screen, during an era when racism was en vogue, is something that truly touches me. Just one problem, though. After purchasing Volume 15, "The Lotus Eater," I looked at my video collection, and to my horror - I only have Volumes 1-13!!! Can someone throw me freakin' bone here and tell me if there's a Volume 14 out there, and if so, what's the title so I can look it up and buy it on Amazon.com?!

TV Star to American Diplomat
Bill Cosby is the Mark Twain of our times. As an entertainer and a writer he has infiltrated and influenced our national outlook for the better. His observances of the human condition will continue to inspire for generations to come. This series continues to elude most, but has a fervent following. At this point, there is nothing that can stop Mr. Cosby. Catch him here at an early peak in his career. I hope that he gets an Embassaborship. God Bless You Bill Cosby, you made my childhood a better time.

Best American TV Series Ever
With its combination of exterior location shots from all over the world and intelligent storytelling, this series stands at the apex of American TV. The stories on this DVD center around Hong Kong and probe deeply into Culp's and Cosby's characters and the nature of loyalty. If you haven't discovered the secret of I Spy, buy this DVD. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Vendetta" - A 16-year-old grudge has agent Kelly Robinson facing a death sentence in a kangaroo court when an embittered Italian family decides to settle an old score. Co-Starring Victor Francen. "Father Abraham" - Agents Robinson and Scott, entrusted with the life of a fellow agent being used as bait in a plot to foil enemy spies, are foiled themselves by their colleague's well-meaning, but meddling father. Co-Starring Tony Bill and Austin Willis. "Child Out of Time" - Because of her amazing retentive powers, the ten-year-old daughter of a former German collaborator becomes a pawn in her vengeful mother's plot to sell World War II secrets to the highest bidder. Co-Starring Nina Foch. "The Trouble with Temple" - Accused of being a spy, a movie producer in Spain uses his beautiful and unsuspecting girlfriend as a pawn in a death plot against agents Robinson and Scott. Co-Starring Jack Cassidy and Carol Wayne. ... Read more